You’ve probably noticed that when movies or TV shows get really intense, they start using close-ups (possibly even extreme close-ups). This is because more information than you’re likely even consciously aware of is communicated by the human face. To say that human beings are very facially centered is, well, not a stretch.
So having all of your main human sensors, nose, eyes, ears, and mouth, on the face is no surprise. The face is packed with aesthetically pleasant attributes.
But when your face needs more than one assistive device, it can become a challenge. For instance, wearing glasses and hearing aids can become a little… cumbersome. It can be rather challenging in some situations. You will have a simpler time wearing your hearing aids and glasses if you take advantage of these tips.
Are glasses impeded by hearing aids?
It’s not uncommon for individuals to be concerned that their glasses and hearing aids might conflict with each other since both eyes and ears will need assistance for many people. That’s because both the placement of hearing aids and the size of eyeglasses have physical limitations. Using them together can be uncomfortable for some people.
A few primary challenges can arise:
- Poor audio quality: It’s common for your audio quality to suffer when your glasses push your hearing aids out of position.
- Pressure: Both eyeglasses and hearing aids need to attach to your face somehow; frequently, they use the ear as a good anchor. But when your ears have to hold on to both eyeglasses and hearing aids, a sense of pressure and sometimes even pain can be the outcome. This can also develop pressure and strain around the temples.
- Skin irritation: Skin irritation can also be the result of all those things hanging off your face. If neither your glasses nor your hearing aids are fitting correctly, this is especially true.
So, can you use glasses with hearing aids? Of course you can! It may seem like they’re mutually exclusive, but behind-the-ear hearing aids can successfully be worn with glasses!
Wearing glasses and hearing aids together
Every type of hearing aid will be compatible with your glasses, it’s just a matter of how much work it will take. For the intention of this article, we’ll be discussing behind-the-ear style hearing aids. This is because inside-the-canal hearing aids are a lot smaller and fit completely in your ear. There’s usually absolutely no conflict between inside-the-canal hearing aids and glasses.
Behind-the-ear hearing aids, however, sit behind your ear. They’re connected by a wire to a speaker that goes in your ear canal. You should talk to us about what type of hearing aid will be best for your needs (they each have their own benefits and drawbacks).
An inside-the-canal hearing aid won’t be the best option for everyone but if you use your glasses all day, they’re something you may want to think about. To be able to hear adequately, some individuals require a BTE style device; but don’t worry, there’s a way to make just about any type of hearing aid work with your glasses.
Your glasses may require some adjustment
The degree of comfort you get from your hearing aid will considerably depend on the style and type of glasses you have. You will want to invest in glasses with thinner frames if you use a large BTE hearing aid. In order to obtain a pair of glasses that will work well with your hearing aid, work with your optician.
And it’s also important to make sure your glasses fit properly. You want them snug (but not too tight) and you want to make sure they aren’t too loose. The caliber of your hearing experience can be compromised if your glasses are continually wiggling around.
Don’t avoid using accessories
So how can you wear glasses and hearing aids together? Well, If you’re having problems dealing with both your glasses and hearing aids, take heart, you aren’t alone! This is good news because it means that you can use it to make things a little bit easier. Some of those devices include:
- Retention bands: You put these bands on your glasses to help keep them in place. These are a great idea if you’re on the more active side.
- Specially designed devices: There are a wide range of devices on the market created specifically to make it easier to use your hearing aids and glasses at the same time. Devices include pieces of fabric that hold your hearing aids in position and glasses with built-in hearing aids.
- Anti-slip hooks: If your glasses are moving all around, they can knock your hearing aid out of place and these devices help prevent that. They’re a little more subtle than a retention band.
The objective with all of these devices is to secure your hearing aids, keep your glasses in place, and keep you feeling comfortable.
Will your hearing aids have more feedback with glasses?
Some individuals who wear glasses with their hearing aids do document more feedback. And it does happen, but it’s not the most common complaint. In some cases, the feedback you experience may be triggered by something else (such as a tv speaker or mobile phone speaker).
Still, you should definitely consult us if you think your glasses might be causing your hearing aids to feedback.
The best way to wear your hearing aids and glasses
If you make sure that your devices are properly worn you can prevent many of the problems linked to using glasses and hearing aids at the same time. You want them to fit right!
Here’s how you can start doing that:
First put your glasses on. When it comes to adjustment, your glasses are bigger so they will have less wiggle room.
Once you have your glasses in position, position the shell of your hearing aid between your glasses earpiece and your outer ear. The earpiece of your glasses should be up against your head.
After both are comfortably set up, you can place the microphone of the hearing aid inside of your ear.
That’s all there is to it! That being said, you will still need some practice removing your glasses and putting them back on without knocking your hearing aid out of position.
Take care of your hearing aids (and your glasses)
In some cases, friction between your hearing aids and your glasses occurs because the devices aren’t functioning as intended. Things break sometimes! But with a little maintenance, those breakages can be avoided.
For your hearing aids:
- If you have a rechargeable hearing aid, keep the battery charged.
- Utilize a soft pick and a brush to eliminate debris and ear wax.
- When you aren’t using your hearing aids, be sure to keep them somewhere dry and clean.
- At least once every week, clean your hearing aids.
For your glasses:
- If your glasses stop fitting properly, take them to your optician for an adjustment.
- When you’re not using, keep in a case. If you don’t have a case, just keep them in a dry place where they won’t be inadvertently smashed or stepped on.
- Utilize a microfiber cloth to clean your glasses. Your lenses could easily be scratched by a paper towel or your shirt, so don’t use them.
- When your glasses get dirty, clean them. At least once a day is the best plan.
Professional assistance is occasionally needed
Though it may not initially seem like it, both hearing aids and glasses a specialized pieces of technology. This means that it’s crucial to talk to professionals who can help you find the best fit possible for both your hearing aids and your glasses.
Avoiding problems rather than attempting to fix them later can be achieved by getting the right help in the beginning.
Hearing aids and glasses don’t need to fight
Like one of those family feuds that’s been happening too long (with plenty of close-ups, of course), it’s now time to accept that glasses and hearing aids don’t have to be enemies. Sure, it can, at times, be challenging if you require both of these devices. You will be able to be more focused on enjoying your life and less on keeping your hearing aid in place with our help.